Printing press



Get. 30, 1928.

T. C. SPELLNG PRINTNG PRESS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1' v Filed Aug. l5, 1927 Oct. 30, 1928.

- T. c. SPELLING PRINTING PRESS ee WM 4 Sheets-Shogi: 2

Oct. 30, 1928.

TL C. SPELLING PRINTING PRESS Filed Aug. 13. 1927 5',

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 another, which takes the formers place at each completed movement of the press, and to do this successively without limit.

It will be noted that the letter chase consists of two separate parts, one parton either for printing the letterhead, in any proper type, and under it, properly related, the date. In the other part, 13, is set the type forfth'e bo'dy of the letter, and of course the signature may be also printed, if a suitable cut therefor be provided; rllhe letterhead may be set in any type suitable for lctterheads, and it may be printed with the same print impression that prints the name, address and salut-atory and body or tezrt of the letter.

In vhereinafter referring to the.. letter chase, the term is to be runderstood to includeboth the parts, 12 and 13. Those parts must be securely fastened to the press bed, 31. For this purpose various means might be suggested, some of which might involve modification of the press bed and exterior parts of the letter chase, for instance rods with suitably formed ends and proper openings for their insertion.

The space between the interior walls of letter chase, between which is slot, 11, is of sulicientwidth to allow the passage between them with frictional enga-gement of resilient wings, 47, of the little chases, 14. The thickness of the bases of each of the parts 12 and 13 is exactly the saine as that of the ungrooved portions of these little chases. It will be noted that the slot, 11, extends less than half the width of the letter chase, and terminates at the margin of an opening, 32, through the press bed. Suitably attached at the inner margin of this opening, to the nether surface of the press bed, is the slanted chute 15, on which each ejected little chase slides before falling to the Hoor of the press room, or into a receptacle, the purpose of providing the slanted chute, 15, being the breaking of the force of the fall of the little chases and prevention of resulting injury to the type carried therein.

In practice, it is necessary to construct the containing walls of lett-er chase, adjacent to this opening, thinner than the portions thereof adjacent t-o the integral section of the slot, so that the little chases may freely fall, through the opening. Hence the shoulders, 16, to indicate an exterior diminution of the thickness of the two walls between which that section of the slot extends. To have the opening also a little longer than the integral base of the slot presents no problem.

As will be hereinafter seen, a shifting and propulsive mechanism is pro vided which will exert force against the bases of the little chases upwardly as well as forward. Hence the wings, 47, the functions of which are to have movement under the downwardly face shoulders, 46 (best shown in Fig. 3), and to tighten the little chases in the slot in the printing process.

Below the horizontally positioned down-` wardly faced shoulders, 46, will move the wings, 47. A glance at the horizontal portion of the galley, 48, discloses that the saine shoulders are extended and appear therein almost to the junction of horizontal and slanted portions of the galley, 48 and 48a respectively. At the point where shoulders terminate, in the horizontal portion they are Vcurved slightly upward, the purpose of which is to allow the little'chases, equipped with the wings, 47, to be freely and without being caught on any sharp angle pushed under them by the propulsive force provided for as hereinafter explained. The formation of the shoulders, 46, results in a reduction below them of the thickness of the walls'of the slot, and of the horizontal portions of theV galley in which they are formed. Including the outward curves, 45, of the wings, the width of each little chase exceeds that of the slot; in other words, the compression of the wings, in passage through theslot causes frictional engagement against the walls of the slot under the shoulders, because of the presence of curves, 45. The presence of the wings under the` downwardly faced shoulders, 46, also preserves theirlevel as against the force of the shifting device beneath them. The wings consist of narrow resilient metal strips attacljied to each exterior side wall of each little chase. These wings aresuitably attached, near what may be designated the front end of each side of each little chase,

the

and are slightly curved outward, their unl attached ends resting against the sides of the little chases.

The power of gravity combined with mechanical force is utilized in the invention, and, for its utilization, `the inclined `Oalley, formed from metal or other suitable material,`is employed, as a feeder of the shifting device, being actuated by downward gravity force. As will be noted, the galley is .formed with a gradual curve near the lower end of the slanted portion, 48"', the curve merging into the horizontal portion, 4S. The terminal, 17, of the horizontal portion rests in an indentation in the press bed to which it is secured by screws or bolts 56. Thus the inner bottom surface of the galley is made flush with that of the press bed.

It is obvious that the interior width of the galley must be slightly greaterthan that of the little chases. Down to the junction with the slot, the width suflices to allow the little chases to move freely,notwithstanding the resilient wings, 47, thereon 5 but at the point frame being attached to each other by rods, 44, extending through a slot, (only position indicated) the slot running through the girder from end to end. This frame, in opern inthe functioning of the parts, is the knob,

451. Properly supported on the nether side of the press-bed, and held in such position that, as it is carried forward with the other parts, its slanted end will pass under arm 36, is the member, 46a. It is rotatively pivoted on a horizontal extension of the support ust referred to, but its range of downward move-- ment is limited by a rigid arm, 4Gb, supported v on the end of the axle for member 46a (said support not shown) the rigid arm 46" shown extending into an under cut, 52. Said slanted end normally rests so that in the movement of the press bed forward the stationary arm, 36,' will mount the slanted section, be struck by the knob 45h, and passed under by the level section, 55, of member 46a, until it is reached by the cam faced member 47a, which disengages it from the knob the fractional part of an inch short of the knob reaching the limit of its movement. This cam faced member consists of its main support back of the sliding frame and a horizontal. extension of said main support, the end of the extension being beveled as shown, right over the horizontal end, 55, of member 46, but out of the path of knob, 4G". By contact with the cam faced member, thearm is disengaged and deflected downward and comes to rest in its normal horizontal position, through action of springs, 40. The arm now has no useful function until the press bed has completed another cycle of movement. But on the return trip the press bed and attachments must pass over thearm. This is provided for by the shape of said members, 46 and 55. There could be no problem as to the part 46a, because of its being heavier than the horizontal end and because of the method of its support above described. But to prevent the upper spring 40, on arm 36 pulling down the horizontal. elevated end of member 46a, thereby disengaging the knob, 45a, prematurely, a support for that end, during its passage under the arm is provided. Just back of the girder for the sliding frame and its supports is another support attached to the press bed, and on that is the vertically positioned axle, 47h, for the arm, 53, the end of which is, as seen in the drawing, at rest under the level. end of member 46a. At the side of the axle is the post 49. Fastened to that and the adjacent side of the arm, 53, vis a coiled spring, 50, of only moderate pull power; but attached sliding bar, 25.

'the lile of little chases behind it.

swung out from under the horizontal' end of member 46a asV the horizontal end is lowered by the passage of the slanted end of said member over the arm, 36. But instantly thereafter, all the parts assume their original normal positions, ready for a repetition of the performance. vThe rigidity of the rod, j 5l, brings arm 53 immediately to rest, in.

position as seen in the drawing and prevent-s its oscillating back and forth. All the supporting parts of the frame work for actuating parts just described, and wherein reference figures 4l to 55 inclusive are used are in turn supported on the nether side of the press bed.

lithout dwelling upon minutiee, it will.V

suffice to briefly state that the result of contact of the stationary arm 36 with the knob, 45, moves the sliding frame, 41 which in turn pulls the chain, 82, which actuates the By these forces, the coiled wire 31a, is stretched to the extent of the length of one of the little chases, or approximately two and one-half inches.

The main purpose is accomplished by the direct movement, namely, a little chase which has already received a print impresy sion is ejectedfrom slot, 11,A and through propulsive force another is installed in its place. At the moment when the knob, 45, strikes the stationary arm, 36, the downward and forward movement of the lile of little chases in the galley is obstructed by the frictional engagement of the wings, 47, with the walls of the slot, 1l. But, when the spring, 26, `is actuated by the operation of the mechanism just described, and the little chases just ahead of the shoulder-,27, of the spring are propelled forward, the little chase just back of it closely follows it,V

being pushed forward by the weight of reaction ofall the parts during completion of the cycle of movement of the press bed, the spring point yabove the sliding bar A resumes its position in space back of the next little chase shunted into place for it, and all is ready for the next contact between the stationaryA arm and the knob on the sliding frame.

Every lateral attachment to press and press bed may be detachably attached. And there is no known reason why a plurality of such equipments may not be attached to one press, or why this equipment will not high speed. A

Of course, care should be used in the adjustment of lengths and dimensions; but exactitude .to a small fraction of an inch is fully function where the press is run at By theV not essential. A margin of movement is alorded by the adaptability of coiled wire, 31a, which, anyhow, shouldnot entirely 'relaX at any time. It should 'fall short of reaction sufficiently to keep the little chain taut. Again there is no strict rule as tothe position of name, address, etc.`in a letter, only they should be somewhere on the left hand side. And, of course, the specilication ot' length and width of the galley and little chases is not absolute. These and other matters are questions for mechanical conl struction. So here again, 'a slight non-adh j ustment would have no serious consequences. 1What I seel; to secure by United States Letters Patent is: 1`

I. In a machine of the character de` scribed, instrumentalities for guiding and placing a chase in printing position, vthe guiding means having upstanding walls, and the chase having resilient means at one side thereof to create a firm engagement between the chase and guiding means.

2. In a machine of the character described, instrumcntalities for guiding and placing a chase in printing position, the guiding means having upstanding walls, and the chase having resilient means at opposite sides thereof to create a` firm engagement between the chase and guiding means.

3. In a machine of the character described, a chase having a bottom and upstanding side walls, and 'resilient means within the chase cooperatingl with said side walls adapted to firmly hold printing means when inserted in the chase.

l. In a machine of the y character described, a chase having a bottom and upstanding side walls, Vand resilient means within the chase cooperating'with saidfside walls adapted to iiimlyhold' printing means when inserted in the chase, said resilienty means comprising a compressible strip located adjacent the wall of the chase, and a suitable spacing strip interposed between the compressible strip and the interior space oi? the chase to receive the printing means.

5. In a machine of the character described, a chase having a'bottom and upstanding side walls, and resilient means within the chase cooperating with said side walls adapted to iirmly hold printing means when inserted in the chase, said resilient means comprising compressible stripslocated radjacent opposite walls of the chase, and suitable spacing strips interposed between the compressible strips/and the interior space of the chase to receive the printing means.

6. In a machine of the character described, a chase, and means for propelling` pending lug on said bottom in said way, and a propelling means having an' engagingpart to cooperate with said lug, substantially as described. 7. In a machine ot the character described, a chase, and means for propelling and guiding the same into lprinting position, the chase havingdepending flanges at its opposite sides to provide a way therebetween at the bottom of the chase, a depending lug on said bottom in said way, and a propelling means 'having an engaging part to cooperate with said lug, said engaging partibeing formed and adapted to recede past said lug 'plor va succeeding portion after the chase `has been moved, substantiallyas described.

8. In a machine of the characterdescribed, a chase, and means for propelling and guiding the same into printing position, the chase having depending langes at its opposite sides to provide a way therebetween at 'thebottom of the chase, a depending lug on said bottom in said way, and a propelling means having an engaging part to cooperate with 'said lug, said engaging pait being formed and adapted to recede past said lug for a succeeding portion after the chase has been moved, the lugand engaging part being relatively inclined to `faeilitatethe riding of the engaging part beneath the lug.` 1

9. yIn a machine oftlie'character described, the.combinationwith a chase, of means for propelling and guiding the same into printing position, the chase having a lug depending from its lower portion, and the propel` ling means having an'engaging part adapted to vcooperate with said lug to createamoving` engagement therebetween. A f

l0; In a machine of the character describedv` the combinationswithla chase, oli

'create a' moving engagement therebetween,

said lug having a recess in its end face .the engaging wall of which is inclined downwardly and towards the engagingvpart of the propelling' means 'whereby in the moveH inentof the chase a downward iorce is createdi tending to hold the chase in place'.

11,"In' 'a machine of the character described, instrumentalities for fguiding and placing a chase in printing position, the guiding means having upstanding walls and overhanging flanges, and thechase having elongated spring arms constituting resilient meansatits opposite sides, the springarms and overhanging flanges `acting to` `firmly hold the chase in operative positionL relative tov the guiding means.

l2. In a: machine ot the character described, instrumentalities for guiding and placing a chase in printing position, the guiding means having upstanding Walls and overhanging flanges, the chase having elongated spring arms constituting resilient means at its opposite sides acting to firmly hold the chase in position with reference to Y said upstanding walls, and propelling means having in part a spring element tending to hold the chase in iirm posit-ion against said overhanging flanges.

13. In a machine of the character de- Vvscribed, a guideway having a straight hori- 'upwardly curved portion being flared to facilitate passage of the chases from the curved feeding portion into the horizontal Y portion of the guideway.

ll.V In a machine of the character described, horizontally disposed guiding means for chases, chases therein each having an engaging part, :the guiding means having a slotted bottom portion of approximately the length of a pair of chases, and a reciprocating propelling means positioned in said slot having a releasable part for cooperating With the engaging part ofeach chase.

15. In a machine of the character de scribed, horizontally disposed guiding means for chases, chases therein each having an engaging part, the guiding means having a slotted bottom portion, propelling means positioned in said slot having a releasable part cooperating with the engaging part of each chase, and means for moving said propelling means back and forth to engage successive chases.

16. In a machine of the character de scribed, horizontally disposed guiding means for chases, chases therein each having an engaging part, the guiding means having a slotted bottom portion, propelling means positioned in vsaid slot having a releasable part cooperating with the engaging part of each chase, and means for moving said propelling means back and forth to engage successive chases, including a spring for retracting the same to normal position, and means opposed to said spring for influencing movement in an opposite direction when propelling a chase.

17. In a machine yof the character described, horizontally disposed guiding means for chases, chases therein each having an engaging part, the guiding means having a. slotted bottom portion, propelling means positioned in said slot having a releasable part cooperating with the engaging part of each chase, and means for moving said propelling means back and forth to engage successive chases, including a sprine` for retracting the same to normal position, and means opposed to said springl for automatically influencing movement in an opposite direction when propelling a chase and controlling the toand-fro actions of the propelling means.

18. In a machine of the character described, gniding means. for chases, chases therein having an engaging part, propellnig means having a releasable part cooperating with the engaging part of each chase, and means for moving said propelling means back and forth to engage said successive chases including a spring for retra'c'ting the same to normal position, and means opposedy to said spring for influencing movement in an opposite direction including a slidable member, a chain or the like connecting the same with the chase propelling means, and a spring-held actuating member adaptedto cooperate with the slidable member to shift lthe same. f

19. In a machine of the character described, guiding means for chases, chases therein having an engaging part, propelling means having a releasable part cooperating with the engaging part of each chase, and means for moving said propelling means back and forth to engage said successive chases including a spring for retracting the same to normal position, and means opposed to said spring for influencing movement in an opposite direction including a slidable member, a chain or the like connecting the same Withrthe chase propelling means, and a spring-held actuating member adapted to cooperate with the slidable member to shift the same, the slidable member having a depending stop, and a bevelled releasing device in the path of movement of the stop to free the same from the shifting actuating member.

20. 'In a machine ofv the character described, guiding means for chases, chases therein having an engaging part, propelling means havine a releasable part cooperating with the engaging part of each chase, and means for moving said propelling means back and forth to engage said successive chases including a spring forretracting the same to normal position, and means opposed to said spring for influencing movement in an opposite'direction including a siidable member, a chain or the like connecting the same with the chase propelling means, and a spring-held actuating member adapted to cooperate with the slidable member to shift the same, the slidable member having a depending stop, and a bevelled releasing device in the path of movement of the stop to free thc same from the actuating member, to permit the retracting spring to restore the parts to normal position, and means interposed between the depending stop of the slidable member andl the actuating member acting in ene direction to cause the actuating member to engage the stop and in another direction to permitrestoration of the parts to normal relationship. y

2l. In a machine of the character described suitable guiding and positioning meansV for chases, combined with a plurality of chases operatively associated tl'ierewith, and means for eifecting progressive feeding;` movement of the chases including a movable shifting mechanism adapted to successively engage the chases7 and a stationary controlling device in the path of movement oit said shifting mechanism for causing` the shifting of a chase thereby.

22. In a machine of the character described suitable guiding` and positioning' means for chases, combined with a plurality of chases operatively associated therewith, and means for effecting progressive feeding movement or' the chases including a movable shifting mechanism adapted to successively engage the chases, and a stationary spring supported controlling device in the path oit' movement of said shifting mechanism for causing; the shifting of a chase thereby, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

THOMAS C. SPELLING. 

